Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Le Khanh Hai, praised the outstanding achievements of the Vietnamese sports sector over the past 66 years.
He also urged sports officials, trainers and athletes to continue work hard to develop national sports, and to increase success at international sports competitions.
During the past time, Vietnam is always standing among the top three nations in terms of sports. The country’s sportsmen gradually proved themselves with many superior accomplishments at both continental and world competitions, including the two silver medals secured by taekwondo artist Tran Hieu Ngan at Sydney Olympics (2000) and weightlifter Hoang Anh Tuan at Beijing Olympic Games (2008). Last year Phan Thi Ha Thanh also won a bronze medal in the women’s vaulting event at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Japan.
Vietnam has played host a number of large-scale sporting events such as the 22nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2003, the third Asian Indoor Games (AIG) in 2009, and also the fifth Asian Beach Games which is planned for 2016.
23 most outstanding trainers and athletes of 2011, who were selected by 200 sports correspondents and experts from across the country, were also honoured at the ceremony for their brilliant achievements and contributions to the national sports growth.